Systems, methods and media are provided for selective decryption of files. One method includes monitoring a secure file storage area including at least one file using a selective decryption process associated with the secure file storage area. Content of each of the at least one file is protected with an encryption. The method also includes detecting a request by an application program for one of the at least one file. The method further includes determining whether the application program needs to access the content of the requested file. The method also includes, when it is determined that the application program does not need to access the content of the requested file, allowing the application program to access the file content without decrypting the encryption.